A reflectron is an electric field that reverse the direction of flying ions in the analyzer section of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS). There are two types of TOF-MS: linear TOF and reflector TOF, and reflectrons are used in reflector TOF. Generally, TOF-MS is equipped with a reflectron to achieve high sensitivity and high mass resolution.
The principle of the reflectron
The ions of the sample molecules generated in the ionization section are accelerated by the electric potential difference with the grid electrode and enter the reflectron through the flight tube. The entrance of the reflectron is at ground potential, and the voltage gradually increases due to the electric field created by multiple stacked metal plates. This electric field causes the ions to reverse the direction of flight (ion mirror) and head toward the detector.
The reflectron's high voltage is used with a reversible-type high-voltage power supply, with the polarity switched to detect positive and negative ions, respectively. In addition, the voltage across the reflectron's multiple electrodes is generated by a resistive voltage divider (high-voltage divider). TOF-MS detects ions using a microchannel plate (MCP).
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Recommended products
Matsusada Precision produces reversible type bipolar high-voltage modules for reflectron.
